Google Home is coming to Canada this summer

At I/O 2017 Google announced that its IoT smart home assistant platform Google Home is set to come to Canada this summer.

A specific release date was not announced for the device, but we’ll update this story when we get additional details from Google Canada.

Other announcements include the fact that hands-free calling is set to come to Google Home, though the feature will only be available in the U.S. at launch. Users, however, will be able to make calls within the U.S. and Canada via Google Home.

Until now Google has been racing to improve the feature integration in its Google Home smart speaker in an effort to catch up with Amazon’s Echo. Today at I/O Google announced the ability to control HBO Now, Hulu (streaming platforms only available in the U.S.) as well as other platforms, via voice commands.

In a surprising move, the company revealed plans to add Bluetooth audio support to Google Home as well. Finally, Google also announced that soon users will be able to ask Home things like, “show me my calendar on TV,” or “show me nearby restaurants on TV,” with the results being displayed on a connected smart television. Google says this feature will not arrive for some time and that it will be very limited at launch.

Amazon still has not announced the Canadian release of any of its voice-activated IoT Echo devices. When asked about Canadian pricing and a specific release date, Google Canada released the following statement:

“We’re excited to bring Google Home to Canadians. We have no additional news to share at this time.”

Finally…I will be able to have google home order my kids around (using simon says). It’s the only way forward with these little i****s…

Graison Swaan

I’ll stick with Alexa

KiwiBri

No way I’m buying into this.. Google hardware and platforms seem to be like a lottery.. Nexus player, Android wear etc

Thomas C. Riddell

Your too late google I brought a Echo and I am happy with itIt has more skills and IMO is better Device for 70 dollars CNDYes it not perfect but works well for me

Actionable Conclusion

In fairness the search capabilities of Google Home are far superior to Amazon’s Echo devices however there is also a greater number of skill sets available for the latter that appeal to many.It’s good to see they are bringing this to market finally but it’s taken nearly a year by the time it hits the shelves here.Also, curious as to how they’re gonna add bluetooth? Are they proposing a whole new line of Home devices now? Making existing ones somewhat obsolete?

JD

Sweet now Canada can help them Beta test the product!Meanwhile a first tier product like Alexa is held out of Canada.

Vishal Sheth

I have an Echo dot and a Google Home and while saying “hey google” a bunch of times is more annoying than saying “Alexa,” I use my google home a lot more than my dot. I’m excited to for the new features coming like calling and “show me ______ on my tv” but even now, it’s a device i use every day for all sorts of little things and the new additions will only make it better